2011 at the Hammond Barn

[Grant Bowker]

For the moment, the shims were stacked dry. If leaks develop I will give the sealer a try and let you know. Another way might be to buy shellac flakes and disolve them in alcohol to make your own sealer. One source of shellac flakes is http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/pag...at=1,190,42942 but there have to be similar woodworking supply companies in other countries.

For the hedge trimmer I definitely want to repair rather than replace. It's a long reach gas powered unit, pretty much commercial strength. It wil do 1/4 inch all day without noticing it, is rated to cut 3/4 inch and can work it's way through 1 inch cedar. It has also been known to cut chain link fencing that was hidden in the hedge, not my favourite sound but it has happened. I hate to think what it could do to a finger. The speed of production compared to even a fairly good electric trimmer has to be seen to be believed. Aside from the general principle of not liking to toss something that still has life and the challenge of making it right, a replacement would be $US500 plus shipping online, probably twice that in Canada (have I mentioned that I don't like some Canadian retail practices?) - I would rather put the money to CMPs.

[Bob Carriere]

...they all do.

Grant..... I purchased some shellac at Sterling flea market a few years ago..... still good in the old fashion glass bottle.

Bob

[RHClarke]

The Night Before Christmas - the Hammond Barn version
With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore (author of the original poem)

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the farm
Not a creature was stirring, not even at the Hammond barn.
The trucks were parked by the barn with care,
In hopes that St Blitz soon would be there.

The Rotters were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of split rims danced in their heads.
And the cats in the shelters, and the mice in the packs,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
Bob sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to the barn down below.
When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature CMP truck, and eight tiny beer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
He knew in a moment it must be St Blitz.
Swerving and bouncing through the snow he came,
And he belched, and farted, and called them by name!

"Now Keiths! Now, Labatt! Now, Pilsner and Victoria Ale!
On, Carlsberg! On, Coors! On Dublin X and Black Label!
To the top of the barn! To the top of the wall!
Now drink away! Drink away! Drink away all!"

As dry heaves that after the hangover do us try,
When he meets with an obstacle, bounced to the sky.
So up to the barn-top the old coot flew,
With the truck full of beer, and St Blitz too.

And then, in a twinkling, Bob heard a distinct tap
The popping and spinning of a small bottle cap.
As he entered the barn, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Blitz came with a bound.

He was dressed in coveralls, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with grease and soot.
A bundle of tools he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a mechanic, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how black rimmed! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like dumplings, his nose like a raspberry!
His stern little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a cigar he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of naval jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old git,
And Bob laughed when he saw him, and almost did shit!
A wink of his eye and a twist of a cap,
Soon tossed him a beer that landed in his lap.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the tool boxes, then turned with a smirk.
And laying his finger inside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up Lucifer’s chimney he rose!

He sprang to his truck, and to Bobby did whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But Bob heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Motoring to all Rotters, and to all Rotters a good-night!"


I won't be giving up my day job - yet! Merry Christmas from the Rotters!

[Bob Carriere]

Rob...... thank you......


..... what a beautiful ditty...... I mean poetry to my mind !!!!!!!


Yes the barn has been very quiet these days ...... but will fire up Lucifer on Tuesday ......... and get ourselves in gear again.


To All ...... a Merry Xmas and Healthy Prosperity for the New Year.

Bob

[Wpns 421]

I knew the Barn had hidden(on purpose) talents but I must say Rob very well done. Carolle and I want to wish all the Barn creatures a Happy holidays and may yea be blessed with many new toys in the New Year.
In our world this has been a hectic year, moving twice, building the new house and just getting settled in. We are planning on building a new garage this year and we would like to host a gathering of MVs and there owners. The Merrickville area is great and has lots to do, our new property is 20 acres and we should be able to make a trail to try out the MVs. We will put out a tentative date for our gathering in February.
It will not be in May as I am taking Carolle to Paris and the Normandy coast for two weeks. So Bob we will have to sit down and coordinate for the Barn BBQ.
I have just started working this week and it really feels strange after taking a year off. My hours are flexible and I basically work when I want.
I know I have been offline lately(poor Internet service) but did anyone get any new toys. We are always looking and lo and behold the Jolly old fellow posted a truck for sale in Smith Falls at a very reasonable price and we now own a new M1009 in good condition, we will pick up the truck on Tuesday.
Who said there is a cure for this disease?
Happy Holidays and a prosperous and Happy New Year
Gilles & Carolle

[RHClarke]

This last morning of 2012 started off with a slushy ride out to the barn. Along the way I had the pleasure of the company of a very frightened lady who kindly drove down the center of the road at about 15 kph with her four way flashers alit. She may have been wary of the slush, but she refused to give quarter! I finally did pass her and felt a bit of sympathy when I saw the look of horror on her face as slush from my car and the line of following cars coated her windows as we passed. She should have stayed at home...

The barn yard was coated with fresh snow and looked very nice indeed. After firing up Lucifer, I spent the next half hour removing snow from a good number of shelters. The recent freezing rain left a good crust on top of a layer of soggy and heavy snow. Clive's shelter required the most effort to clean (as usual), but with Grant's help, all of the shelters were cleared of snow.

Bob arrived with a truck load of goodies bought off EBay and other online resources. He must have been a really good boy this year, as Santa left him with some real nice presents. The wrappings were tossed in to Lucifer's maw which added to the cozy atmosphere in the back of the barn. The remainder of the morning was spent cleaning up.

After lunch we decided it was too nice not to take the trucks out for a spin. Bob and I fired up our charges and spent a good 20 minutes plowing through the snow of the back 40. Bob was amused that I could get all four wheels of the HUP spinning, but once they dug in, I was away like a scalded cat. We tooled around the field and then headed back to the barn at full tilt. While it was not really cold out, the open cabs did feel a little chilly on the ride back.

Once back at the barn we test fit the Bronco hinges to the HUP rear door. After marking hole locations, I drilled out the door side of the hinges. A quick session with the tap and the hinges were ready for mounting. The door was fitted to the rear opening and looked good until we tried to open and close it again. The bottom of the door was binding on the door frame. The lower hinge was the cause of the problem – its bushings looked like they were worn. So, Bob, Grant and I had a hinge BBQ trying to get the hinge pin out. Even after repeated heatings and hits with a drift, the pin remained in place. I decided that the hinge would soak in oil for a few days before we tried again.

Since it was New Year’s eve, I had to head back to Ottawa early to prepare for the annual celebration at home. Thus ended the last day of 2011 at the Hammond Barn. We most certainly look forward to 2012.

Photos:

1 - We live a sheltered life at the barn - with lots of snow
2 - Bronco hinge being prepared for their new life as HUP hinges
3 - Test fit - rear door of the HUP
4 - Bob exiting his storage container - a spectator event
5 - The trucks in the back 40